Perfect Partners: Scott Hergest & Spinnin’ Whiz

PERFECT PARTNERS

Scott Hergest and Spinnin’ Whiz

Reining trainer Scott Hergest was in the middle of winning yet another event when SONIA CAEIRO ALVAREZ called him to chat about his champion ride and long-time partner Spinnin’ Whiz.

If you haven’t yet gotten along to a reining competition to see what all the fuss is about, you probably should. The atmosphere is electric, the horses’ agility and speed amazing, and the connection between horse and rider truly remarkable.

For close to 30 years now, Scott Hergest has been an outstanding competitor in the sport, and has had numerous wins and placings at both State and National shows, including Futurities and Derbies. Currently he’s campaigning Spinnin’ Whiz – Dusty to his friends – a Quarter Horse he started and has trained to Derby and Open success at all levels.

When I spoke with Scott, he and Dusty were mid-competition near Gympie in Queensland. Nevertheless, he kindly took some time out to talk about the partnership he has with his outstanding reiner.

It was in early 2017 that Scott chanced upon the young horse while browsing social media. “I’d been looking for a prospect for a while when I saw a Facebook ad for a stud in NSW,” he says. “It was pretty much sight unseen and the seller said, ‘I’ll send him off to you, if you like him, that’s great’. When the truck arrived, I watched some horses being unloaded, and then out came Dusty. I liked his look straight away and I have never had a bad day with him. He’s a great horse.”

Scott tells me that it wasn’t exactly a deep love at first sight, but from the get-go he knew there was something special about this particular Quarter Horse. “It was just the look of him – I can’t explain it exactly,” he says. “He was just one year old, and I could see he was an excellent horse. He has no bad traits really. He’s good to do anything with, including leading the younger ones. Basically, everything he’s asked to do, he does.”

Although Scott can’t pin down a specific reason for their connection, this intangible but immediate flash of intuition was the start of a partnership that has been going strong for the past five years. Trust was built over time and he credits a softer training style to cementing their relationship. “I’m not a very hard trainer. Quarter Horses are normally a very hot breed but Dusty wasn’t that difficult,” he explains. “When he does something wrong, I don’t freak out. You can’t be banging on at them, it just doesn’t work.”

Speaking mid-competition, Scott is in a competing mindset. He and Dusty have a fine reputation in the arena, although Scott is characteristically humble about their achievements. “I’ve been around for quite a while and have had a few horses – and we did ok,” he says. “Then Dusty came along. A few years ago, we’d done the Beaudesert Performance Club, and were at the Pacific Coast at Gatton. He was young but ready and he should have won. However, we had a hiccup. Even so he was an absolute standout and one of the American

judges was saying, ‘go buy that horse!’, and since then we’ve done pretty well.”

Modestly, and with more than a smattering of understatement, Scott lists some of the triumphs of the last few years which include wins as the 2017 Queensland Reining Horse Association Derby Championships and 2017 Reining Australia Derby Co Championships.

I’ve been offered very good money for him, but he’s earned his keep and I don’t think I could ever sell him.

The pair placed at the 2018 Pacific Coast Championships, the 2018 Pacific Coast Reserve Championship Derby, and the Intermediate Derby Championships, after which they landed the 2018 Queensland Reining Horse Association Open Championship. And most recently, the pair took out the win at the 2021 Queensland Reining Horse Association State Show Open Derby and Intermediate Derby with a score of 146.5.

“We’ve been putting a lot of good runs together,” Scott tells me. “We’re looking at the Nationals this year, probably our last Derby year. Dusty’s done a lot of work, so I’m not really too worried. He’s been a successful horse for me ever since the first big event at the Queensland Derby. I’ve been offered very good money for him, but he’s earned his keep and I don’t think I could ever sell him.”

So although their competitive days in the pen may come to a close at the end of the 2021 season, one thing’s for sure, Scott and Dusty are very likely to remain perfect partners.